Mahadi Hasan Badhon, back from Tripura
Poisonous, waste-mixed black water that comes from Agartala in Tripura State of India, is causing serious damage to cultivable land in Brahmanbaria district.
The stinky waste spreads in the Akahura area and finally reaches the Titas River through the Kalondi, Kalikapur and Sonarbadi canals. During a recent visit, this correspondent found deep-black odorous water, along with polythene and plastic bottles, entering Bangladesh through the Akhaura border.
Many farmers in this area have to use the canal water for irrigation purposes, and thus suffer from various skin diseases. Mohammmad Uzzal, a local farmer of Akhaura Upazila, said, “The odour of the canal water is very bad. We are suffering from skin diseases after coming into contact with this water. It is difficult for us to work in the field and houses near the canal during the dry season due to the foul odour.”
Local people also said that they cannot rear ducks as their animals die when they come into contact with the canal water. Zinnat ali, 45, another farmer said, “Now, this is rainy season and the canal overflows. Odorous and black water of this canal has mixed in our cultivable land. Our farmers are suffering from various skin diseases as they use the canal water for irrigation purposes.”
Some Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel, on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent that the canal water spreads foul odor in this area.
“Sometimes it becomes unbearable for us to perform our duty. Although we have informed the higher authorities, we did not get any remedy,” another BGB personnel said.
Earlier, the Department of Environment (DoE) conducted a test of the canal water at various points and found the presence of heavy metals like lead, chromium and iron. They also found the dissolved oxygen level is only 0.24-0.36 mg/L, against the standard 5mg/L in the canal water. Besides, senior officials have to face embarrassing situations during inspection of the land port. Personnel of the BGB continuously face such problems.
Abu Naser Khan, who is the Chairman of Poribesh Bachao Andolan (POBA), told Bangladesh Post, “The government has to take steps about this poisonous water, otherwise, it will create serious harm to our river water and the ecosystem of this area will change.” Considering the serious consequences of the discharged poisonous water, the government should take up the issue with India and urge it to manage the canal water properly before discharging it into Bangladesh through the canal, he added.
This correspondent also visited the entire Agartala municipal area and found the canal condition worse than in Bangladesh where the deep black water is spreading malodor on both sides of the canal. Rajesh, 55, a local three wheeler driver of Agartala, who used to drive his vehicle in Agartala border regularly, said, “About 14 to 15 years ago, the water of this Kalondi canal was good and there were different types of fishes in this canal. Now, this canal is a matter of concern for us as the water condition is worse and spreading foul odor surrounding the canal.”
While discussing this issue, Agartala Municipal Mayor Dr Prafulla Jit Sinha told this correspondent, “This waste-mixed water is not only a problem for Bangladesh, it also spreads malodor in our Agartala area too. Two years ago, we had taken up a project to set up Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). However, we could not establish it at that time due to many reasons. Now, the project work on this plant has been started. I hope we will be able to send treated water into Bangladesh within one year.”
Replying to a query, the Mayor said, “No industrial waste mixes in this water. The water that enters into Bangladesh through two canals is sewerage water. It creates malodor as this water remains stagnant in the drain for a long time.” Earlier, expressing deep concern, Bangladesh raised the issue before the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) and drew the attention of the Indian authorities.
The Indian authorities assured Bangladesh several times that it would construct an ETP to treat the waste before releasing it in the water. However, Bangladesh did not see any implementation of their assurance. When contacted, and asked about the matter, Hyat-ud-Doula Khan, deputy commissioner of Brahmanbaria, replied through message that he is in Chattogram. Additional deputy commissioner of Brahmanbaria Mohammad Shahidul Islam also refused to comment on the matter.
